U.S. Embassy Banjul’s Public Affairs Officer, Janel Heird, recently held a pre-departure orientation for a young Gambian farmer ahead of his trip to the U.S. for an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Muhammed Sanyang, General Manager of MBK Farms, will leave Banjul for Washington today to attend Regional Project – Emerging African Leaders: Entrepreneurship and Business Development.

This project supports the Department’s strategic goal of inclusive economic growth. Participants will learn about the culture of entrepreneurship in the United States and study policy, legislation, and private sector support for small business development. The project examines U.S. efforts to help new entrepreneurs overcome social and financial hurdles through leadership development, job creation, access to capital, marketing, education, and innovations that encourage entrepreneurship. The participants will explore and assess best practices for promoting small business development including lending, initiatives to reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and incubators.

Mr. Sanyang, a graduate of the Startup Incubator Gambia, is an inspiring young farmer. He began working as an assistant veterinary technician with the National Agricultural Development Agency’s poultry unit even before he left school. In just a few short years, Muhammad has grown his business from a single employee to 15. He grew his poultry business from 500 chickens to 7,500. Sanyang is also the President of the Youth Farmers’ Association of The Gambia.